Stories by petroskryf (25 matches)

How someone's presence can make a difference

In the midst of our grief after our only child passed away, a parent who had suffered the same terrible loss, came to our house.  She didn't talk much -- she was basically sitting shiva with us -- a beautiful Jewish custom where the family of the deceased gathers in one home and receives visitors.  When she talked, we could listen.  She taught me the importance of just being there for someone with your presence, and without all the answers.  It's amazing how much can be communicated without words. And how much is said by simply showing up.

I See You

In the country where I was born, eleven official languages are spoken. Yep, not kidding! (I can speak two fluently.) One of these languages, Zulu, has a splendid greeting: , which means literally: ‘I see you’. Isn’t this just a magnificent way of recognition? Not just the stereotyped forms of greeting, like ‘How are you’ (and not really waiting for or interested in the answer), ‘Hey’ or ‘Good Day’, but actually a powerful acknowledgement hidden in one word. And the Zulu response in this regard, is ‘Ngikhona’ – with the literal meaning of ‘I am here’. In this grateful response lies the awareness of: ‘Until you saw me, I didn’t exist. By recognizing me, you brought me into existence’. It made me think. When my daughter passed away nearly six years ago, I couldn’t stand it when people asked me afterwards how I am. I wanted to yell at them: ‘How can you ask ... Read Full Story >>

My kindness journey across USA

Kindness makes the world go round. I am now on a plane somewhere above Russia after a wonderful journey to the USA. And during this journey I encountered so much kindness from different people. There is Elandra in New Orleans, who walked with my husband and me in an effort to find a museum that we couldn't find because we got the wrong address. And she remembered our faces from the previous day when we ordered something at the restaurant where she works. The warmth of the people of Louisiana will always stay with me. In Maine, the people at the local laundry helped us find our way around there because we were not quite familiar with the washing machines. And they talked with us and shared a bit of their life. And in New York we experienced the locals as very helpful: When we were on the wrong subway train, they directed us. We never experienced ... Read Full Story >>

The Peach Lady Of Marseilles

Today I was reminded again how kindness spreads her soft, lingering perfume across the globe. My husband and I are in Marseilles this week as part of our journey to Provence for my birthday. In this vibrant city which is a melting pot of hues, smells and sounds, I had a short and sweet encounter with one of the residents. At a marketplace in town, I saw an unfamiliar peach variety that is not available in my country. I decided to buy only one peach to find out what it tastes like. A Muslim woman, Feiza, who was also in the shop, then came forward and insisted on gifting me four of those strange, flat peaches! Feiza's unexpected kindness was a magical moment in our day. While police walk around in crowded tourist spots to protect people against possible harm, a local women shared her genuine kindness, almost on the spur of the ... Read Full Story >>

Extra Ordinary Tomatoes

I read an interesting quote today:  "You could spend your entire life chasing the horizon ... but you won't even scrape the surface of our universe.''  That made me think. Perhaps there are many times when we think we cannot make a difference in life, but for other people, we may be their universe.

Before I rushed off to office this morning, I picked a few tomatoes from my tiny garden (they grow in pots) for one of my colleagues. She lives in a flat and she was so grateful.

In reflecting on this gesture, I didn't really try to do a good deed. Rather, I simply intended to share the abundance that I have. And it didn't cost me anything.   After a huge loss in my life, I discovered the importance of wounded healers. They came to me when I needed them, and it's now up to me to pass on the relay stick. It's amazing how much we can share when we begin to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, everyday aspects of life.

Two Dolls For Two Little Dolls

Today I bought two tiny dolls for two special little girls in my husband's family. The smiles on their faces were priceless. I realized again that a small gesture like this can make a huge difference.

May all of you have a kind, kind, kind 2016.

Turning Loss into Love: The Embeth Project

I pondered for a long while about this, and I decided to ask your contribution … On March 30 our gifted daughter should have celebrated her 21st birthday. A day that was supposed to be full of fun and festivities, will be a very lonely day for me and her dad. No birthday cake. No special present. No looking forward to a bright future ahead. Because she passed away when she was only 13. A butterfly who wasn’t able to spread her fragile wings. It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself. Instead, I decided to ask people to do kind deeds in her name. I call it the Embeth Project, in commemoration of this beautiful soul who crossed my life. In the following days up to March 30, please consider to dedicate an opportunity for a kind deed to Embeth …. and please keep me posted about it if you feel like doing so.  *In ... Read Full Story >>

Look for the Helpers

''Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'' I reflected on these touching words while reading a Huffington Post article about a luggage handler who manifested as one of the early heroes in the Brussels airport attack.  In the aftermath of the abhorrent atrocities, this employee remained calm and helped people to safety. One person honored him as a true ''helper'' as described below by Fred Rogers. a.k.a. Mr. Rogers- "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world." In times like this, the true heroes emerge in the world. Sometimes unseen. Usually unnoticed. The ... Read Full Story >>

Pebbles Of Kindness by The People of Spetses, Greece

I am currently visiting Greece  (after almost 22 years since my first one-day visit) and I am really overwhelmed with the kindness of the people my husband and I encounter here. When we arrived on the charming island of Spétses, our host (a woman, who's husband works at sea) insisted on helping me to carry my suitcase for the last few steps to our room. When we left for Athens this morning, she helped me again with my luggage. And when we paid our bill, she also gave us a small token of appreciation: jams she made herself. I will always remember Vasiliki from Spétses and her kindness during these three days. I treasure all these pebbles of kindness on a foreign trip: people taking time to talk to you in a quaint little shop, answering our questions in their best Greek English possible; my husband buying me a delicate pendant (the Greek ... Read Full Story >>

A Bouquet Of Thankfulness

Last week, the same day when I received the devastating news about an old friend's death, I decided to make a difference in someone else's life.

I took a break at the office to go out and buy a bunch of flowers for a clerk at the bank. She walked an extra mile to help to solve a problem regarding our travel insurance documents that we should have received by that time -- and the problem wasn't even caused by her department.

Because of her competence and work ethic, we received our documents that same afternoon. So I guess she deserved every petal of that bunch of flowers. I also informed her line manager about her excellent service.

Although my heart still aches about my friend who passed away too soon, I realize I can still make a difference with the life I live.

The Warm Hug Of Kindness

It was a cold, miserable day in Cape Town when I went to the post office to collect a parcel. But the contents of this parcel was a warm “hug” of kindness, all the way from the U.S.

Inside the box was a beautiful shawl, crocheted by my our KindSpring friend Mish. And such a lovely card as well, with Mish’s sincere words traveling across continents, explaining how she crocheted Love and Light in every stitch in honor of my daughter’s birthday; who passed away almost eight years ago.

Yes, dear Mish, I can feel your Love and Light. I am so overwhelmed that I cannot find the words to express my appreciation.

Just know that this warm “hug” of kindness is something that I will always cherish.
When I joined KindSpring shortly after my huge loss, I could not have foreseen that Kindness would come and wrap her arms around me.
Thank you Mish, and thank you, KindSpring for every “hug” of kindness.

 

The Sweet Taste Of Reaching Out

This morning, while working on my manuscript, I suddenly got the urge to reach out to two people in the condominium where we live.
Recently I bought a huge glass bottle with delicious butter cookies, and I decided to fill two gift bags with some of these cookies -- and off I went.

Firstly, I gave one gift bag to the lady of the home owners' society who assists us with our water readings, and secondly I surprised the lady who recently moved in with another bag of cookies.

I realized again it's not necessary to give something huge -- but by giving small tokens of kindness, you give so much of yourself.

Small Act, Huge Outcome

I bought the security guy at the front gate of the office a cool drink in the hot weather we are experiencing right now in the Southern Hemisphere. He was so grateful. A small act of kindness can change someone's day.

Small Steps For Embeth

My husband and I participated in a 10-kilometer (almost 7-mile) Peace Run and Walk, as a part of the Cape Town Marathon to raise money for an organization named Ithemba. This is an organization we started to raise awareness on depression and its research. We lost our daughter almost nine years ago, and every walk on this hike, was for her. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), next year, depression will be the second biggest illness in the world; and in 2030, the biggest. We did this for our daughter, Embeth, who passed away in 2010. It was a day of goodwill, and many people from various countries around the world participated in this event. We even received medals. Kindness really starts with small steps.   ... Read Full Story >>

The Guy On The Street Corner

There is a guy selling newspapers on the corner of a street I pass every day on my way to work. He cannot earn a lot of money with this job, but he is always smiling and waving at me.

You all know that feeling, I suppose – some days are more grueling than others, and some days I wonder where my life is exactly going to – we are sometimes so struck in routine and what others expect from us.

Then I have to remind myself about this guy on the street corner. He has a zest for life, no matter what. The other day I surprised him with a few oranges and tangerines when the traffic light was red for me. And his honest gratitude just warmed my heart.

Fruit For Children

I saw a big container in one of our supermarkets in Cape Town with mixed fresh fruit in it.

On the side of the container, there is a note saying that any children under 12 may take some of the fruit for them to eat – it is for free.

I think this is a very clever – and kind – initiative, also because lots of food get wasted worldwide.

The Gift Of Kindness

Like so many people around the world, I experience my unique share of stress during these challenging times. After a horrible work week, I started crying in a coffee shop yesterday when we waited too long for just two cups of coffee.

The kind owner of the shop came to our table to apologize for the long wait, and also tried to comfort me (still crying) and regifted me a lovely container of succulents that someone gave to her. I thanked her for her kindness in a time I needed it so much, something that I will never forget.💗

The Circle Of Kindness 30 Years Later

During our short break in mid-October, my husband and I went back to the city where we were married 30 years ago. We visited the same church and sat there for a while, thinking back. Life hasn't been easy always (we lost our only child), but we hold on to each other. In the end, love is all that matters.

We also experienced the kindness of a handful of friends during our visit there. We had met these people years ago when we started working for the same newspaper.

In the circle of kindness, life is always much more bearable.
Thank you KindSpring, for teaching me that.

, 

Hiking For Hope

Yesterday, on an beautiful Sunday morning in Cape Town, my husband and I participated in the Hope Hike for awareness about depression, to break the silence and to raise funds towards research. We walked 10 kilometers (6,21 miles). We lost our daughter almost nine years ago, and every walk on this hike, was for her. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) next year depression will be the second biggest illness in the world; in 2030 the biggest.

Welcoming Neighbors

Since we moved to our new home a week ago (we rented one for more than 7 years, and it was time to buy our own house...our last address as we call it) I have been busy unpacking boxes the last few days.

It’s exhausting, but also rewarding to stand back and see how a new home opens her arms to you. How everything eventually finds a place to “live,” a corner to exist in. We also experienced kindness from some neighbors in our complex.

I was overwhelmed by a bunch of flowers and a lovely plant for the house that some of the people gifted us. And then there was the plate of muffins appearing on our doorstep. People are so thoughtful!

Most ordinary people care about others. Most ordinary people are kind. 

The Jacket Bought More Than 50 Years Ago

We visited my dad (aged 93) in the care home yesterday. My mom passed away in January and they would have been married for 69 years this past week.

I took some delicious food for him, and checked his fridge to make sure there was enough food in there.

He gave me some of mom's clothes and amongst them was a lovely beach jacket that she kept since the early seventies (even before I went to school). It is still so beautiful and I will keep it in my cupboard with a dress that belonged to my daughter, who also passed away years before.

I was very sad when I looked at the jacket, remembering my mom wearing it when I was a little girl of 4 or 5 years old. But also grateful for the kindness that I had something tangible to keep her close to me.💓

We All Need People Who Care

We had a lovely break for 10 days, just getting away from home and work while visiting good old friends and family in another city. 

I bought them some small, but thoughtful gifts and they were so grateful. In turn, they surprised us as well with tokens of kindness.

We all need people in our lives who care about us. And we all need to reach out to others to show that we care too.

What we Give...

While getting treatment for my disease and not feeling well every day (I can also eat only limited portions, lots of other side effects as well etc.) my colleagues give me the space when needed (also for medical appointments) and my line manager agreed I can work half day when necessary.
People can be so kind when we really need it.

Some things don't change

Our kind next-door neighbor (on occasions she brought us home-made soup, chocolate and some of her party food not long ago) celebrated her birthday recently and although I don't feel well due to my treatment, I brought her some flowers to say happy birthday and thank you for her kindness.

We also left some muffins this week for them on the wall between us to enjoy as a thank-you treat.

It's so wonderful to be reminded of kindness in the world. Our worlds can 

Love from U.S. to South Africa

A parcel of love arrived today at my home, almost three months after it was mailed to me from the US to South Africa. I am overwhelmed, because all the contents were picked out with so much care and love. I realized anew how much goodness there is still in this world. And how much people still care about others, even those ones they have never met before. Thank you, dear Mindy, for the lovely parcel and all the beautiful things you sent me! From amazing peace doves to a gorgeous sun catcher mandala, a lovely handmade purse with all sorts of kindness cards inside, Smile Cards, and a sachet with stickers with the nicest messages. (Of course I will share the doves and help to spread the kindness.) And a post card sending me well wishes and love. Mindy, I cannot say thank you enough! 💓🕊

The Story Of A Wandering Wallet

Letting Go

Bread and Roses

Turning Loss into Love: The Embeth Project

Helping Celebrate My Colleague's Mother's Birthday

My Best Teachers Are My Students

The Three Women I Met On a NYC Subway

What I learned from a little girl at a train station

Warm Coats for All Beings

Three Words of Wisdom: "Don't We All?"

Lost and found in Los Angeles

Moving

Kindness From Spain!

Good Morning!

The Perfect Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Joy For A Homeless Man

Kindness Without Leaving Home

Accepting a Compliment

I Wish You Enough

The Patient Patient